COVID-19 is a viral infection. Most children with COVID-19 will have either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Some children can get very sick and may require hospitalization.
Vaccinating children protects them from serious illness and hospitalization and reduces the spread of the virus within their household and the community. Children can spread COVID-19 to other people, even if they do not have symptoms.
When a large percentage of the population becomes immune to COVID-19, the spread of the virus will slow down or stop. Vaccination is our best shot for allowing individuals, families and
workers to safely resume normal life, and for our children and youth to return to the things they love and miss.
COVID-19 Vaccines Approved for Children 12 Years of Age and Older
• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine is approved for children 12 years of age and older after clinical studies showed the vaccine was safe and effective for this age group and provided excellent protection from symptomatic COVID-19 illness in adolescents
• The Ontario government has recommended Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) as the preferred vaccine for those aged 12-24
Eligibility
• Youth must be age 12, or turning 12 in 2021 (born in 2009 or earlier), to receive the vaccine
• The COVID-19 vaccine is free and voluntary
• Youth 12 years of age or turning 12 in 2021 do not require a parent or legal guardian to provide consent for vaccination
• If a child does not have the capacity to provide their own consent and a parent or legal guardian is unable to accompany them to their appointment, the parent can complete and sign a consent form and send it with the child to the vaccine clinic; consent forms are available at york.ca/COVID19Vaccine
• Parents and guardians are encouraged to speak to their child about COVID-19 vaccines including the risks and benefits of getting vaccinated
• The vaccine is safe for most youth, including those with a health condition such a diabetes or a weak immune system;
it is also safe for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding
COVID-19 VACCINES
FOR YOUTH AGE 12 TO 17
174 Last Updated November 23, 2021
Stay safe. Stay informed.
york.ca/COVID19VaccineInfo
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How the Vaccine Works
• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine which teaches our cells how to make a specific protein that triggers an immune response
• Our body then makes antibodies which help us fight infection if we are exposed to the real virus in the future
• Beginning about two weeks after the first dose, the vaccine is very effective at preventing COVID-19 infection, serious illness, hospitalization and death
• For most people, two doses of the vaccine are required for the best protection
• A third dose is recommended for certain immunocompromised and high-risk youth for added protection in those who may not have achieved adequate immunity from two doses alone; see york.ca/COVID19Vaccine for eligibility details or speak to your health care provider
• A Booster dose at least six months after completing a two-dose series is recommended for First Nations, Inuit and Metis individuals 16 years of age and older, as well as their non-indigenous household members age 16 or older; this booster helps people maintain protection against COVID-19 over time
You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The vaccines do not contain the virus.
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As some side effects can also be like symptoms of COVID-19, speak to your health care provider to determine if you need further assessment if you have any concerns.
Side effects may be more common with the second dose. Serious side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are rare;
however, if you develop any of the following reactions within three days of receiving the vaccine, seek medical attention right away or call 911 if you are severely unwell:
• Hives, swelling of the face or mouth, trouble breathing, very pale colour and serious drowsiness, high fever (over 40°C), convulsions or seizures, other serious symptoms
There have been rare reports of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) following vaccination with an mRNA vaccine:
• Cases were more commonly reported after the second dose
• Symptoms typically began within several days after vaccination
• Cases were mainly adolescents and young adults
• Cases were more often males compared to females
• The majority of cases experienced mild or temporary illness, responded well to rest and conservative treatment and symptoms improved quickly
These reports are rare and investigations into the association between myocarditis/pericarditis and mRNA vaccines continue. If you have experienced non-vaccine related myocarditis in the past, or after receiving a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, please speak to your health care provider to determine your options for first and/or second doses.
Seek medical attention if you develop chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations following immunization (symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis).
Allergies
• If you experienced a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or component of the Pfizer-BioNTech, you should not receive the vaccine without consulting with your health care provider. Your health care provider will help determine your options for first or followup doses; detailed ingredient lists are available at canada.ca/COVID19
• If you experienced a less severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or a component of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, you must talk to your health care provider before you receive the vaccine; you are required to bring a letter to your appointment confirming the vaccine can be administered
• The Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine does not contain eggs, gelatin (pork), gluten, latex, preservatives, antibiotics, or aluminum and is safe even if you have food, drug, or environmental allergies
A consultation with your health care provider is recommended but not required before receiving the vaccine if you:
• Have a weak immune system from an illness or therapy, or an autoimmune condition
• Are pregnant, could be pregnant or are breastfeeding
Delay vaccination if you have a fever or COVID-19 symptoms, are confirmed, or suspected to have COVID-19. You can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as, or any time before or after, any other vaccines. There is no need to delay
COVID-19 vaccination or to wait to receive any other vaccine.
Studies are ongoing to determine the long-term protection of COVID-19 vaccines Although vaccination is very effective, there is still a chance you could
both contract and spread COVID-19 after being immunized
Continue following public health safety measures after vaccination
MAINTAIN A
PHYSICAL DISTANCE WASH
YOUR HANDS MONITOR
YOUR HEALTH WEAR A MASK OR
FACE COVERING
Visit york.ca/COVID19VaccineInfo for more information and to book your appointment.
Side Effects
• Side effects after vaccination are often part of the body’s natural response to a vaccine
• Side effects are usually mild to moderate and temporary, only lasting for a few hours or days Common side effects include:
• Redness, pain or swelling at the injection site • Muscle aches • Headache • Feeling tired
• Fever • Joint pain • Chills • Nausea
